A PROJECT which is tackling crises in the Dales is celebrating after winning the Government’s Year of Green Action award.

The People and the Dales and SWEPT projects were awarded this and the Park Protector Award respectively, run by Campaign for National Parks, in a parliamentary reception attended by Ministers and MPs last week.

People and the Dales, from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), introduces under-represented communities to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including asylum seekers and inner city communities.

The project stood out to judges for its work connecting people and place at a time when that relationship is at risk.

Judy Rodgers, YDMT community development worker, said: “It is a pleasure to receive this award on behalf of all the refugees and asylum seekers we have worked with over the last 10 years.

“It has been amazing working with such resilient, hardworking and cheerful people despite the trauma and adversity they have experienced. Their stories have enriched my life and the lives of those that they have met.

“In a small way I hope that the visits they have made to the Yorkshire Dales through People and the Dales have given them hope for a better life, respite from the waiting for acceptance from the Home Office, and an opportunity to experience a warm welcome from people who live in this amazing landscape.”

More than 10,000 people have taken part in People and the Dales, which has previously been recognised for its work with BAME groups, refugees and asylum seekers.

SWEPT, a project measuring pollution in the waters around the Pembrokeshire Coast took home the Park Protector Award at the same reception for their innovative work.

The project is training volunteers to measure pollution levels from agricultural run-off in the National Parks, protecting land and marine ecosystems.

The awards come midway through the government’s Year of Green Action forming a part of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Here individual and businesses are being encouraged to do more to help nature and the environment.

Mark Corner, chairman of Friends of the Dales that forms part of the Campaign for National Parks said: “We are delighted that the Park Protector Award has been won by a project based in the Yorkshire Dales. The People and the Dales project brings a wide range of people from urban areas into the amazing Dales.”